Sir Winston Churchill – Battle of Britain Class 34051

The Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Spectacular 2012 had two visitors; 43XX 5322 and Battle of Britain Class 34051 Sir Winston

Hornby Unrebuilt West Country / Battle of Britain class review

Class: Original (unrebuilt) West Country / Battle of Britain class Use: Express Passenger and Express Goods Region: Southern Era: 1945-1967 Preserved examples: 34007 21C107 Wadebridge – Mid Hants Railway – operational 34023 21C123 Blackmoor Vale/Blackmore Vale – Bluebell Railway (as-built, Coat of Arms added in preservation) – Static Display pending overhaul 34051 21C151 Winston Churchill – National Railway Museum – Static…

My Journey in becoming a Steam Enthusiast, Part 6 – The Watercress Line (up to and including 1996)

Regular readers of this blog will no doubt be very familiar with the Watercress Line! It is a railway I visit regularly now, but when growing up one that I visited relatively infrequently. However, these early visits nevertheless were regular and enjoyable enough to go a long way in sowing the seeds of becoming a steam enthusiast! Going back…

Namespotting – Southern Names

Todays post is a reflection on the names given by Southern Railways to their top-link express locomotives. As the names are so evocative and well-thought out, I wanted to discuss some of the reasons why they work so well. I’ve illustrated the piece with locoyard fleet locomotives; both past and present. King Arthur Class Although…